Typewriting machine



Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,867

A. G. F. KUROWSKI f TYPEWRI'TING MACHINE File July 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Noy. 6, 1928.

A. (5. F. KUROWSKI TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'is shown in its normal position.

Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT (OFFIC v ALFRED G; I. KUROWSKI, OF BROOKLYN, 'YOR'K, ASSIGNOR '10 UNDERWGOD ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORFO'RATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application'filed July 22, 1925. Serial No. 45,204

This invention relates to improvements in ribbon mechanisms of typewri'ting machines, and more particularly to means for automatically shifting the ribbon when the carriage reaches a predetermined zone of 1ts travel. 7 Y

In typing data on insurance policies, the name of the insured party is intended to appear on the face of the policy without an address, and bothname and address are required to be carbon-copied on a record-sheet.

.Provision is made in the present invention of a simple cam-piece adjustably mounted on a carriage-rod for engagementwith a roller on the upper end of a pawl, which engages an arm fast on the usual ribbon switchshaft, so as to operate the ribbon-shift mechanism. A feature of the invention is a simple means for latching the automatic ribbon-shifting device in inoperative position at will; this means including a cross-arm rotatably mounted on said switch-shaft and arranged for swinging said roller out of engagement with said campiece; a latch holding said roller inoperative.

Other features and advantages will here inafter appear. y i

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the present improvements applied to an Underwood typewriter. The ribbon Figure 2 is a fragmentary end view of the actuating parts of *the automatic ribbonshifting mechanism of Figure 1 in position for shifting the ribbon from its'normal inked band to the uninked band.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view'of the actuating parts of the automatic ribbon-shifting mechanism latched in an inoperative position. I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another form the present invention may take, arranged. on the Underwood typewriter. The ribbon is shown in its normal position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end View of the device shown in Figure 4, with the actuating parts of t-heribbon-shift-inggi mechanism in position for rendering the ribbon vibrator silent.

A platen 10 is revolubly mounted in the carin a lever 21, is slidably mounted onabracket 22 fastened I carrying aribb'on 24 having an inked or black, band 24 and an uninked or white ba-ndf24 is fastened to the outer end "of the lever 1.21., A link 25 is pivota-lly connected at one end on the frame 15. A vibrator 23 to the, actuator 16, and at the other end to a rocking arm 26 on latter carrying at its forward end a switch or cross-arm '28 having keys 29 and 30 (wire sponding' to the bands 24 and 24. By depression ofeither key 29 or 80 and the'consequent rotation of shaft band of the ribbon" is brought into use by causing its associate'd'slot in the actuator 16 to engage with the proper pin in thelever21. The aoove-described ribbon-shift mechanism may be substantially the same as that of the Underwood standard typewriter.

To effect the shifting of the ribbon 24 from one band to the other automatically, a campiece may be fastened by a screw 36 to a brace 37, which is adjustably mounted on a rod 38 of the carriage frame 11. A roller '40 is carried on a 42, which is pivoted on a stud 43 in a switchshaft bracket 44 above the switch-shaft 27. The bracket is mounted on the frame of the typewriter 12 by means not shown. A pin 45 in an arm 46 the latter being fastened on switch-shaft 27 by means of a hub 27 so as to revolve with the'shaft, maybe engagedbyfthe lower end 47 of pawl 42, thereby causingthe switch-shaft 27 tobe rota-ted a small amount clockwise and the ribbon 24 be shifted by I movement of the while engagedby the campiece roller 40 counterclockwise stud 43. To render the automaticri'bbonshlft-mg mechanism inoperative, at will for any desired period of -tin'ie, a cross-arm 50, revolubly mounted on switch-shaft 27, carries a pin 53 arranged to engage the pawl 42 above its pivot 43. By pushing the pawl to the right brings the roller 40 into inoperative position where it cannot engage with the'campiece 85. The :cross arm may be latched to hold the roller in inoperative position by means of a leaf-spring 55 provided with round 'detents 56 in its outer end arranged to engage in small. holes Y spring 55 thus holds the cross-arm securely- 27, the corresponding pin 41 fast in a swinging pawl 57 in the bracket 44. The'lea f a switch-shaft 27, the I 35' upon I latched against the resultant pull of the spring 48, but can be unlatched by light pre'ssure of a finger.

Clockwise movement of the cross-arm is limited by a pin 58 fast inthe right end 52 of the cross-arm engaging the downwardly-en tending piece 59 of the bracket 44, and movement in the opposite direction is arrested by the right end 52 coming up against an integral castsportion 60 of the main frame of the typewriting machine 12.

In Figure 1 key 29 i pressed conditionby spring 31 fastened to pin 31" in a bracket 34 on the frame of machine 12, which bracket is provided with an open-ended slot 33 in which engages apin 32 mounted in cross-arm 23. In this condition black letters will. beprinted on a work-sheet in the machine 12, as indicated by the letter X on the ribbon 24. lVhen the cam-piece 35 moves to the left and engages the roller 40,

the uninked'or white field of the ribbon will be presented to the types. The white band provides a protective shield and prevents marking on the work-piece, as might occur with the bare type.

The foregoing mechanism may also be used to control the fields of a bichrome ribbon.

In Figures4 and 5 is shown another form of my inventionwhich may be used in making stencils. A roller 140 is mounted on a pin 141 fast in a T-shaped arm 142 held faston a sleeve 143 fitting loosely around switch-shaft 27 between brackets 34 and lhe 1 2 end, which engages the sleeve 143, may positioned on the forward side of the bracket 44, and its'upper en d,'to whichis fastened the pin 141, come on the inner ide of bracket 44. An upwardly-extending arm 145 is fastened on the sleeve 143 near its forv -d end adjacent the bracket 34. rinupwardiyextending arm 146, pivoted about a pin 147 fast in the lower left-hand corner of bracket 34 ma have a ri ht an 'le rearward V 7 h b bend just above the top of bracket 34 and an upward bend at a point a short distance to the rear of the arm 145. i he upper end portion-148 of the arm 146 may terminate in a ball 149 for easyengagement with an operr tives finger and may'carry a pin 150 to which is attached one end ofa spring 151 the other end of the spring being fastened. to the upper end of the arm 145 prevent the sleeve from turning clockwise around the switchshaft 27. I 7

An open slot 153 having a -flared outer end is provided in arm 146 at a point substantially opposite the slot 33 in bracket 34. Thelower sideof the flared outer end of slot 153 is ranged to come substantially opposite the pin 32 fast in the cross-arm 28. lVhcn the cam-- piece35is moved to the left and engages, the

roller140 and swings it, the sleeve 143 and arm 146 counterclockwise a small amount, the

sshown held in deally controllable from the front of the mapiece fastened to said brace, a swin g pawl pin 32 is caused to move upwardly into the rear of the slot 153 (see Figure 5). The cross-arm 28 in which pin 32 is held is rotated a small amount clockwise and turns the switch-shaft- 27 on which it is mounted enough to shift the actuator 16 to stencil or silent position. When the cam-piece 35 is disengaged from the roller 140, the ribbonshifting mechanism is returned to normal po sition by the pull of aspring 152 fastened to bracket 34 and arm 146, disengaging the latter from pin 32, and immediately thereafter the spring 31 pulling the pin 32 and cross-arm 28 down against the low r side of slot 33', thereby rota-ting switch-shaft 27 back to normal position.

Itv can be readily seen that the cam-piece 35 may be made as long as necessary and may be fastened by two or more screws 36, it re quired, which may be arranged to engage the rod 38 to hold thereon the brace 37 against lateral movement. Also the cam-piece 35 may bereplaced by alonger or ashorter one of a set, to change the non-printing period of the ribbon.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a. ribbon-shift mechanism for a ribbon having an inked band and an uninked band, said mechanism being normally manuchine through the medium of a rock-able switcn-shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, of means for automatically shifting the ribbon when the carriage reaches a pre? termined zone of its travel, said means includ-- ing a single cam-piece mounted on affr nt carriage rod of said machine, a swinging pawl, an arm fast on the switch-shaft of said ribbon-shift mechanism arranged to be an-- gaged by said pawl, said pawl being engage-- able with said cam-piece as the latter H1 ves leftwardly, whereby said shaft is rotated clockwise to bring said uninked band to print ing position, and a spring for returning said switch-shaft to initial position to render "the inked band effective after the carriage moves beyond said zone. a

2.111 a typei vriting machine, the combination with a ribbon-shift mechanism for ribbon having an inked band and an uni. band, of means for automatically shifting ribbon when the carriage reaches a p:. termined zone of its travel, said means iii-- cluding a brace slidably mounted on a front carriage rod of said machine, a single campivoted on the inner switch-shaft b racket said ribbon-shift mechanism, a roller cari by said pawl arranged for operative eng; ment with said cam-piece as the latter moves lettwardly, an arm fast to the switch shaft of said ribbon-shift mechanisnniarpin on said arm arranged to be engaged by said pawl, whereby said shaft is rotated to render said uninked bandetle'etivc at the printing point,

and spring for returning the switch shait to position for rendering the inked band :ef-.

said means including a single cam-piece adjustably mounted :on a front carriage rod of said machine, a swinging pawl pivoted on Liav inner switch-shaft bracket oi said ribbonshift mechanism, said pawl arranged to en gage with said cam-piece asthe lattertravels lcftwardly, an arm fast on the switch-shait of said mechanism arranged to be engaged by the lower end of said pawl, whereby said shaft is rotated clockwise, and a spring arrargedto return said shattto normal position when said cam-piece moving leftwart ly passes out of engagement with said pawl.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a ribbon-shift mechanism for a ribbon having an inked band andan uninked band, said mechanism including a rockable switch-shaft extending longitudinally of the machine and supported near its rearwardend by an inner bracket depending from the frame of the machine, of means for antomatically shifting the ribbon when the carriage reaches a predetern'iined zone oi its travel, said means including-a can'i-pieceadjuc ably mounted on the carriage of said machine, a swinging pawl pivoted on the inner switchshatt bracket of said ribbon-shift mechanism, said pawl arrangedto be operatively engaged by said campiece as the latter moves left vardly, a connection between said pawl and the switclnshatt of said mechanism whereby movement of said pawl conn clockwise rotates said shalt clockwise, and means for rendering said pawl inoperable by said cam-piece.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a ribbon-shift mechanism -for a ribbon having aninked-band andan 'unink band, 01" means for automatically shift the ribbon when the carriage reaches-a predetermined none of its travel, said means 'in cludinga ca1npiece adjustably monnted the carriage of said machine, aspa'wl pivoted on the inner switch-shaft bracket of said ribbon-shift mechanism, a roller mounted on saic'lip awl arranged to he operatively engaged by said cam-piece as the flatter in'i'oves leftwardly, a-connection between 'said pawl and the switch-shaft of said mechanism whereby movement of said :pawl counterclockwise rotates said sh'att'elockwise, and a cross-arm loosely mounted (on said switchshat't arranged for engagement with :said pawl, whereby said roller ,may be moved, at will, 'oatof the path of said oam-piece. I

'6. In a typewriti-ngmachine, the combina tion with aribbon-shift mechanism for a rib.- bon h ving an inked :iband'and an -un1nked band, or" means for automaticallyshifting the TlblJOIl when the carriage reaches a qpredetcrmined zone of its travehsaid means .including a cam-piece :adpistably mounted on the carr age of said mach1ne,a pawl PIVOtGtl the inner switch-shaft bracket ot said ribhon-shift mechanism, .a roller mounted on said pawl arranged-to be operat1velyengaged by said cam-piece as the latter moves lezttwardly, a connection between-said pawl-and the switch-shaft ot said mechanism whereby movement of said pawl counterclockwise ro- I tates said shaft clockwise,across-armloosely mounted on said switch-shaft arranged for moving, at will, said roller out o'fithe path of said cam-piece, and a spring 'latch for said cross-arm whereby said a'oller may be maintained in such inoperable position.

7; In a ty'pewriting machine, thecombination with a ribbon-shift mechanism for a.

ribbon having-an inked band and an uninked band, of a cam-piece mountedonthe carriage of said machine, a swinging pawl mounted on the innerswitch-shaft bracket of said ribbon-shift mechanism, an switch-sha1tt, a roller carried on the upper end of said-pawl arranged'to be engaged by said. cam-piece upon movement leftwardly of the latter, whereby the lower end of said pawl engages said arm and moves it and said switch-shaft clockwise to :operate said ribbonarm fast on said i shift mechanism, to render said :uninkedband' effective atathe printing p0int,-a'cr0ss-arm device loosely mounted on said shaiit arranged to engage said pawl and move, at will,:said paw-l out vof position torengagementwith said cam-piece,and a latch fOl'zSfllCl cross-arm,

whereby said roller may be latched ini'nopen ative position.

8. In a typewriting,machine, the combina tion with. a ribbon-shift mechanism for a ribbon having an inked bandand an uninked band, of a cam-piece mounted on the carriage of said machine, a swinging pawl mounted on the inner bracket of the switch-shafto f said ribbon-shift mechanism, an arm fast on said switch-shaft, a roller carried on :the 'up per end of said pawlarrange-d to beengaged by said cam-piece upon movement lettwardl-y.

the lower end of said pawl engages said arm'andrmoves it and said switch-shaft clockwise to operate said ribbon.

of the latter, whereby shift mechanism, to render said un-inked band bracket arranged to hold. said roller rorinr effective at the printing point, a eross-arm device loosely mounted on said shaft arranged to move said roller out of position for engagement with .said cam-piece, latch for said cross-arm for holding it in position to keep said roller inoperative, and means, including);

a pin in the lower portion of said cross-arm arranged to engage the downwardly-extending element of said switch-shaft bracket and the right-hand end-of said cross-arm arra" god to engage .a portion of the frame of said chine for arresting the clockwise and counter-- in position for operative one ere said cam-piece as it moves leftwa:v diy, an arm piece fast on said switch-shaft arranged to be swung clockwise by engagement i Y lower end of said pawl to render said uninlred band eiiective atthe printing point, a or arm loosely mounted on said shaft a for engagement with said pawl to swing said roller clockwise, against the pull of said spring, out of position for engagement h said cam-piece, means for limiting the thr of said cross-arm in each direction, and latcii for holding said cross-arm in position at the end of its throw in either direction. 7

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with ribbon-mechanism 'and a i shifting switch for selectively renr c, i ribbon effective or ineffective to print, switch including a rock-shaft extendin longitudinally of the machine, of a single cam borne by the carriage, connections between said cam and said rock-sh aft, said connect a including an element in the path of sa' l so as to be engaged and actuated thezehy to render the ribbon ineii ective to print as the carriage reaches a predetermined zone of its letter-feeding travel, and a spring for restorinn said switch to position to render said ribbon effective to print, after the cam 11132 83 beyond said zone.

11. In a typewriting' machine, the combination with ribbon-inechanism and a shifting switch for selectively render ribbon effectiveor ineffective to pri switch including a rock-shaft er-zcendi' i gitudinally of the machine, of a single cam borne by the carriage, connections between said cam and said rock-shaft, said con: tions including an element in the path o cam so as to be engagedand actuated thereent characteristics, said mechanism being nor .mally manually controllable from the front of the machine through the medium of a rockable switch-shaft extending; longitudinally of the machine, of means for automatically shiftthe ribbon when the carriage reaches a predetermined none of its travel, said means including a cam-piece mounted at the forwar A visible and accessible from the front of the machine, and means operated by said campiece and connected to said switch-shaft for rocking the latter to bring another of said hands into operative position.

7 13. In a typewriting machine having carriage, the combination with a ril.)bon-sl1ift mechanism, the ribbon having bands of different characteristics, mechanism being;- normally manually controllable from the fro oi the machine througlii the medium of a rocsable switch-shaft extending lonpjitudinally of the machine, of means for antomatically shifting the ribbon when the carriage reaches a predetermined zone ofv its travel, said means including a cam-piece mounted at the forwar l part of the carriage so as to be readily visible and accessible from the front of the machine, means operated by said c npiece and connected to said switch-shaft or roc nn, thelatter to bring another of said hands into operative position, and'resilient means for returning said shaft to initial position.

14. in a typewriting machine having a can riage, the combination with a ribbonhift mechani, in, the ribbon having band of chi erent characteristics, said mocha on being normally manually controllable from the front of the machine through the medium of a roc'lrable switch-shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, of means for a1 omatically shifting the ribbon when the carriage reaches a predetermined Zone of its travel, said means including a cam-piece mounted at the forward part of the carriage so as to be readily visible and accessible from the front of the machine, means operated by said campiece and connected to said switch-shaft for rocking the latter to brinp; another of hands into operative position, and meansfor rendering said last-mentioned means inoperable by said cam-piece.

ALFREDG. F. KUROlVSKl.

)art of the carriage so as to be readily 

